Sports cars were meant for race tracks with a perfect road surface. However, they have long been available for wealthy costumers who drive them in average road and weather conditions.
Engineers were struggling to create sports cars with all-wheel drive systems for better handling on the imperfect road or in bad weather since the 1960s. Some of the most prominent examples of modern all-wheel drive sports cars are listed below.
Audi R8
2017 Audi R8 © Volkswagen AG
Audi engineers implemented the idea of a sports car with all-wheel drive in 1980 when they created the Audi Quattro. Since then, the term ‘quattro’ is used by Audi to emphasize the all-wheel drive technology in their cars. For now, the most ‘sporty’ ‘quattro’ available for purchase is the magnificent Audi R8 in its second generation.
Subaru WRX
2016 Subaru WRX © Fuji Heavy Industries, Ltd.
The Subaru WRZ, which is a high-performance variant of the Subaru Impreza, uses the all-wheel drive in all trims as a standard option. Probably, it is the most inexpensive all-wheel drive sports car available in the US. That’s why it’s a good starting point for enthusiasts.
Jaguar F-Type
2016 Jaguar F-TYPE SVR Coupe © Tata Group
Jaguar’s recent sports car named F-Type features not only a powerful supercharged engine (you can choose from a 340-hp 3.0L V6, a 380-hp 3.0L V6, a 550-hp 5.0L V8, or a 575-hp 5.0L V8) but also an AWD system as a standard option.
Nissan GT-R
2017 Nissan GT-R © Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
With a 545-hp 3.8L twin-turbo V6 engine and ATTESA E-TS all-wheel drive, the Nissan GT-R looks hot on the inside while the muscle car’s appearance makes it hot on the outside. Very attractive car for a price that is not so attractive.
BMW ALPINA B6 Gran Coupe
2016 BMW ALPINA B6 Gran Coupe © BMW AG
BMW xDrive is a branded ‘intelligent’ all-wheel drive system developed by BMW and introduced in 2003. Nowadays, this technology is available on nearly every BMW car including the fantastic BMW ALPINA B6 Gran Coupe.
Porsche 911 Turbo S
2017 Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet © Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG
The Porsche 911 Turbo / Turbo S is extremely fast and agile thanks to the unparalleled genius of Porsche engineers. One of its core components is the new Porsche Traction Management all-wheel drive system with electronically controlled and activated multi-plate coupling.
Ferrari GTC4Lusso
2017 Ferrari GTC4Lusso © Ferrari S.p.A.
The Ferrari GTC4Lusso grand tourer came to replace the Ferrari FF. It is a four-seater with an all-wheel drive (marketed by Ferrari as a four-wheel drive) and steering V12. Think about it as a family supercar capable of winter driving and other strange thinks for a Ferrari car.
Tesla Model S P90D
2016 Tesla Model S © Tesla Motors
When a car can break the 60 mph threshold in 2.8 seconds, it is a very very ‘sporty’ car even if it is officially a full-sized all-electric five-door, luxury liftback. Furthermore, Tesla’s all-wheel drive technology is an improvement on conventional all-wheel drive systems because of two motors, one in the front and one in the rear.
Lamborghini Centenario LP 770-4
2016 Lamborghini Centenario LP 770-4 © Volkswagen AG
The latest addition to Lamborghini’s supercar family – the incredibly beautiful Lamborghini Centenario LP 770-4 – has an all-wheel drive. It’s not surprising considering that the Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 also has it.
Bugatti Chiron
2018 Bugatti Chiron © Volkswagen AG
Bugatti supercars also feature an all-wheel drive system that keeps the power of their massive engine under control and manageable. That’s why Bugatti Chiron described by Bugatti as ‘the ultimate, quintessential super sports car’ is almost ideal.
